Medical community rings in New Year with grim outlook, calls for unity

The New Year has begun with little optimism among doctors, as the medical community remains locked in prolonged conflict with the government over healthcare policy.

Despite a change in administration, physicians say familiar policy approaches persist—particularly plans to expand medical school enrollment quotas—prompting renewed calls for unity within the profession.

As the crisis continues into the New Year, the medical community is rallying members to unite with renewed determination. (Credit: Getty Images)

Kim Kyo-woong, chair of the House of Delegates at the Korean Medical Association, said in his New Year’s statement Thursday that “although the New Year has arrived, the reality facing the medical community is far from hopeful,” describing the situation as “the cumulative result of the incumbent government’s irresponsible and unilateral approach to healthcare policy.”

Kim warned that the government’s continued push to increase medical school admissions under the banner of a “shortage of healthcare personnel” would backfire unless underlying problems are addressed. “Without improving poor working conditions, excessive responsibility, and institutional failures that have long been ignored, the policy will only lead to further chaos,” he said.

He added that government measures aimed at reinforcing essential healthcare lack realistic solutions to long-standing problems, including inadequate working conditions for physicians and unresolved structural flaws in the healthcare system.

“Healthcare is not an object of administrative convenience, and healthcare policy must not be pursued while excluding experts,” Kim said. “If the government continues to ignore warnings from the field, it must bear full responsibility for the consequences.”

Kim said the KMA House of Delegates would “firmly oppose policies that undermine the essence of medicine by uniting the will of our members,” stressing that there would be no more “formalistic consultations or performative dialogue.”

“This is not the time for silence, but for clearly stating our principles in one unified voice,” he said. “We must demonstrate unwavering resolve and solidarity to protect the future of medicine, the next generation of doctors, and the safety of the public.”

Similar concerns were raised by Hwang Kyu-seok, president of the Seoul Medical Association, in his New Year’s message released the same day.

“Although a confusing and difficult year has passed, sincere dialogue between the government and the medical community has still not been achieved, even after the launch of the new administration,” Hwang said.

He cited several policy proposals—such as mandatory generic-name prescribing, allowing oriental medicine practitioners to use diagnostic radiological equipment, and reforming the laboratory testing consignment system—as measures that could undermine medical standards and professionalism by failing to reflect physicians’ practical concerns.

“Healthcare policy must be promoted on the premise of participation and cooperation from the field,” Hwang said. He added that the Seoul Medical Association would continue to convey the medical community’s position while fulfilling its responsibility as a professional body to ensure that policies introduced by the government and the Seoul Metropolitan Government function properly in practice.

Hwang said the association would support reasonable policies while working with authorities to improve areas requiring further refinement.

With the Integrated Care Support Act set to take effect this year, Hwang also pledged to actively promote community-centered integrated care and to closely cooperate with Seoul’s public health and healthcare initiatives. He said the association would take the lead in restoring trust damaged during the recent standoff between doctors and the government.

“In difficult times, upholding principles is essential,” Hwang said. “Through trust and partnership, we will safeguard the professionalism of the medical community and ensure our voices are clearly heard.”